What is body positivity?
Body positivity is the assertion that all people deserve to have a positive body image regardless of how social media defines “ideal body types.” It can also mean:
Appreciating your body
Loving yourself regardless of how you look
Feeling confident
Where did the term “Body positivity” come from?
In 1996, a psychotherapist and a woman who had been in treatment for an eating disorder founded a website called thebodypositive.org. This website aims to help people develop positive relationships with their bodies. The site provides resources to support people in feeling good about themselves. The initial focus of the site was to challenge beauty standards.
Today, the message has been reformed into acknowledging that all body shapes and sizes are beautiful.
Why is body positivity so important?
Body positivity aims to address the ways body image impacts mental health and well-being. Having a positive body image impacts the ways people view their self-worth. If one doesn’t see their worth and power, it can be hard to treat their body with honor and respect. In this way,
you can see how body image and mental health go hand in hand.
What are some examples of poor compliments?
Sometimes a “compliment” can come off negatively and have the opposite effect on someone. Here are some examples of negative compliments:
“You're so cool. You're like a dude in a girl's body.”
“You’re so skinny!”
“It looks like you’ve lost weight.”
“You look nothing like your pictures.”
“You’re so much taller/shorter in person.”
“I love how you don’t care about how you look.”
The reality is, we don’t know what someone’s insecurities are. Commenting on someone’s appearance can have an adverse effect. Though the intention may be to make someone feel good, those types of compliments can be harmful.
So what is an appropriate compliment?
A comment on someone’s personality or accomplishments is more likely to have the uplifting effect we’re hoping for. Perhaps complimenting someone’s sense of style, outfit, or nail color might be more appreciated. Here are some great examples of effective compliments:
“You’re smile is so contagious.”
“You have a great sense of humor.”
“You inspire me.”
“You’re positivity is infectious.”
“I love what you did out there!”
“Thank you for being such a great friend.”
How do I encourage body positivity in a healthy way?
If you have struggled with mental health, you may understand that it’s not always an easy fix but rather consists of constant daily reminders. The same goes for body positivity; confidence comes from within. Here are few recommendations that may help you support body positivity for yourself and those around you:
Daily affirmations of positive messages
Surround yourself with positive people
Beauty can’t possibly fit into one shape or size
Avoid comparing yourself to others
Compliment others
Thinking about your body in its functionality is another way to feel better about yourself. For example, when you eat, you can think of it as fuel; when you're walking, it can be uplifting to think of how awesome it is that your body is working and all the parts are functioning together to help you stay upright and complete your goals.
There is still room for improvement.
The current state of body positivity doesn’t go without its flaws. The movement can sometimes imply our bodies are the most important factor in a person's identity. Removing our body as a determinant of our self-worth and self-appreciation might offer a healthier approach. There are more important agents than our appearance.
Though the movement is encouraging, the outburst of positivity might make someone feel guilty for having negative emotions towards their body. The reality is, we aren’t always going to feel 100% confident… and that’s totally okay. There is no shame in that. Body positivity demands that it comes from within. A movement filled with people who say “be comfortable in your own skin” isn’t going to change the root of our insecurities. Uprooting our self-doubts and getting to the bottom of our uncertainties will allow us to completely and utterly “be comfortable in our own skin” as the body positive movement suggests.
Check out these videos!
Here are some resources:
The Body Positive:
The case for body positivity on social media: Perspectives on current advances and future directions:
Sources:
“Home.” The Body Positive, 7 Apr. 2021, thebodypositive.org/.
Association, Author: Canadian Mental Health. “Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Mental Health.” Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Mental Health | Here to Help, 2015, https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/infosheet/body-image-self-esteem-and-mental-health
Cherry, Kendra. “Why Body Positivity Is Important.” Verywell Mind, 2020, www.verywellmind.com/what-is-body-positivity-4773402.
Soussi, Fadoua. “Why the Body Positivity Movement Could Be Toxic.” Medium, Invisible Illness, 16 Aug. 2020, medium.com/invisible-illness/why-the-body-positivity-movement-could-be-toxic
“Healthy.” Healthy.joyful.parenting, 15 Feb. 2021, www.healthyjoyfulparenting.com/healthy/.
Written by: Hannah Sisneros